100% local processing of cocoa beans achievable but requires political will – Dr Opoku Gakpo
Agricultural analyst Dr Joseph Opoku Gakpo says the government’s plan to ensure 100 per cent of Ghana’s raw cocoa beans are processed locally by 2030 is achievable, provided it has strong political will.
Agricultural analyst Dr Joseph Opoku Gakpo has stated that Ghana's plan to ensure 100% of its raw cocoa beans are processed locally by 2030 is achievable if there is strong political will. Ghana currently processes about 30% of its cocoa beans, but many processing companies are operating below capacity due to a lack of raw beans.
Dr Gakpo argues that Ghana has significant untapped cocoa processing capacity, with factories operating at less than half of their installed capacity. To meet the 2030 target, the government must address the high cost of doing business, including expensive electricity and water, and create a more commercially viable environment for local processing companies.
The government should also encourage the expansion of existing companies and the attraction of new investors to the industry. Dr Gakpo emphasizes the importance of Ghana producing finished cocoa products to maximize the economic benefits of its cocoa industry, noting that currently only 1.5% of processed cocoa is turned into finished products like chocolate and confectionery.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
